The group said changes need to happen to include the voice of the people, avoid legal action, and support local governments with replacement cost

ST. PAUL – Today members of the Minnesota House of Representatives and Senate rolled out a series of bills that would bring the state emblems in line with the law and allow input from the public.

Click here to watch the press conference

“One thing has been made clear since the emblems commission began its work: the people of our state have been left out of this decision. Thirteen unelected people are speaking for 5.7 million Minnesotans,” Senator Drazkowski (R- Mazeppa) said. “These bills today allow the most important voice, the people’s voice, to be finally heard.”

Representative Bjorn Olson (R- Fairmont) echoed that sentiment saying, “The flag and seal should unite us together, and every Minnesotan should have a say in what those symbols look like. The process we participated in did not give the people the input and buy in they deserve, and now we are hearing about it wherever we go.”

The legislators served on the State Emblems Redesign Commission and were joined by Aaron Wittnebel, who served on the commission as a representative of the Minnesota Indian Affairs Council from the Ojibwe Community. All three signed a minority report to the commission’s final work product highlighting their concerns.

During the commission’s discussion, the use of the Dakota language, “Mni Sóta Makoce” in place of the state’s motto, “L’etoile du Nord,” sparked legal debates among the commission members.

Wittnebel addressed the legal concerns with the state seal saying, “The seal incorporates a non-official state emblem, and that doesn’t comply with the law of the statute.” He cited the law that clearly states symbols or styles that represent only one community were not allowed in the design.

Notably, Secretary of State Steve Simon commented the change may be unlawful during the commission’s December 12 meeting.  

Wittnebel also explained legal issues with removing the date on the seal under the Apostille Convention. “Since 2013, when seals change, the founding creation establishment or organization date should be included as a verification of the seal,” he said. 

There will be two bills introduced to address these concerns, one to remove the Dakota language and one to add the state’s founding year, 1858, back to the seal.

Sen. Eric Lucero (R- St. Michael) invited Wright County Commissioners Tina Diedrick and Nadine Schoen to the press conference to discuss the cost to local units of government to replace the old state and seal. “The costs extend far beyond just flag replacements,” Diedrick said. “Our newly constructed judicial center features the original seal, and will cost $50,000 to replace, in addition to the nine courtrooms. Our sheriff’s office estimates the cost to rebrand county sheriff badges, squad cars, and official documents would be $90,000” In total, Diedrick said the cost would be approximately $150,000 just to Wright County. 

Several bills will be introduced this week to address these concerns. Nearly 40 local government units have adopted resolutions opposing the use of the new emblems. Polling released by KSTP after the flag’s adoption indicated less than one-quarter of Minnesotans want to use the new flag. About half of those surveyed want to keep the state’s old flag.

The new seal and flag will be adopted by law on May 11, 2024, Minnesota’s Statehood Day, if the legislature fails to act.

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